UAAP: Garcia-less FEU Tamaraws endure two OTs before dispatching UE Red Warriors

(Updated 7:39pm) It took two overtime periods, but the slumping, RR Garcia-less Far Eastern University Tamaraws regained their swagger late, overcoming the resurgent University of the East Red Warriors, 98-94, on Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

[Review the play-by-play of this game here]

The Morayta-based squad shook off a fourth quarter meltdown and redeemed themselves in the two extra periods. They fought back from a seven-point deficit in the first overtime and a four-point deficit in the second overtime, ultimately securing the win after Anthony Hargrove split at the free throw to ice the hard-fought win.

FEU’s triumph halts two notable streaks: the Tams’ own two-game skid, and the Red Warriors’ three-game win streak.  That allowed tem to keep the keys to the top spot (8-2), with a half-game advantage over the National University Bulldogs (7-3). The boys from Recto meanwhile tie the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 5-4 for the fourth spot.

Asked whether he felt either joy or relief after snatching the win, FEU coach Nash Racela said, “Both.”

“Joy because I think there was a point in the first overtime when we were down seven so I told them anything is possible, nothing is impossible.” said Coach Racela. “I’m just so happy because they believed in me. Ever since we have been saying that to the team. At least tonight they believed that”

“Relief kasi natapos eh, double overtime, I don’t know how. Yung mga ganitong games it just makes you stronger, to think RR wasn’t there.”

The team bucked the absence of super senior point man RR Garcia, who was serving a one-game suspension, as Terrence Romeo tallied a career-high 30 points. The former Rookie of the Year also added seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while hitting 10-of-27 from the field.

Team captain Gryann Mendoza also came up big for the Tams, logging 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Mike Tolomia and Anthony Hargrove notched 13 and 12 markers, respectively, and seven boards each. Tolomia also dished out six assists.

The Tams squandered what was once a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, 65-48, succumbing to a 22-5 run in the fourth, with UE benefitting from great clutch play by substitute Ralf Olivares. The reserve guard scored four big points in the final two minutes of regulation, including the tying basket that made it 70-all, with 50 seconds left. However, neither side could add to their tally, resulting in five extra minutes.

Olivares continued to play the hero in the first overtime, scoring eight points, including a deuce that made it a seven-point game, 84-77, with 23 seconds left. However, a quick score by Terrence Romeo, fouled by a triple from Gryann Mendoza off a steal of the inbounds pass, got FEU to within two, 84-82, 14 seconds to go.

Red Warriors star Roi Sumang was fouled, but split his charities with 11 seconds to go. That gave FEU the chance to tie, and they seized it, as Mike Tolomia forced another extra period with a trey, 85-all.

Once again, Olivares had UE up 91-87, 3:04 left in the second OT, but FEU managed an 8-0 blast, book-ended by triples from Romeo and Mendoza, to go up 95-91, 2:08 left. Charities by Sumang and Gino Jumao-as made it a one-point affair, 95-94, under a minute remaining, but Anthony Hargrove closed this one out with a basket and a split at the line.

Coach Racela and his boys capitalized on their three-point shooting, making 14 out of 41 tries (34 percent). They also out-rebounded the league’s best rebounding team, 60-57, and assisted on 22 of their shots.


Both teams tested each other in the first period, until Romeo started taking over, scoring the first five points of a 14-2 run. Said run also featured three quick triples from Romeo, Mendoza, and Carl Cruz, forcing UE mentor Boysie Zamar to call for a short break. The three-point party however did not stop there, as Mike Tolomia nailed the last of FEU’s five first quarter three-pointers to give them an early 15-point lead, 25-13.

The Tams’ lead swung around 11 to 18 points, until Charles Mammie broke away for s slam, cutting FEU's advantage to just nine points, 36-27, 3:43 left in the first half. FEU however regained their composure, reviving their double-digit lead after a basket from the interior by Hargrove. Far Eastern exited the first half with a 42-31 edge, with Sumang having scored only three points in the initial 20 minutes.

FEU shot an impressive 45 percent clip by the break, besting UE's 39 percent mark. They were also 6-of-16 from range, compared to UE's 1-of-8 clip. The Tamaraws similarly dominated the glass with 27 boards, 11 on the offensive end.

Romeo logged 12 points on 5-of-14 shooting, while Charles Mammie led the way for UE with 11 points and seven rebounds.

Roger Pogoy opened the third frame with FEU’s seventh triple, extending the lead to 14 points, 45-31, but the Red Warriors countered with an 8-2 run, featuring five points from Sumang. The blitz helped bring the FEU lead to down to six, but triples from Romeo and Tolomia made it 55-42, 3:46 on the clock, with the difference remaining at 13 by the end of the third, 59-46.

After a layup by Sumang, FEU went on to score six straight points to give them a sizable lead at 17, 65-48. 7:58 left in regulation. The Red Warriors however put together a 22-5 run over the rest of the quarter, compounded by crucial misses by FEU, especially from the free throw line. A jumper by Olivares locked teams at 70, giving them an extra five minutes.

The Red Warriors converted 23 turnover points off 25 FEU turnovers and added nine markers from second-chances. They also were awarded 44 free throws off 30 FEU fouls, but made only 27 of those possible charities. From long-range, they were a miserable 5-of-29.

Sumang again led the Warriors with 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, on 6-of-19 shooting. Olivares added 21 points and five boards, while Charles Mammie tallied 17 points and 27 rebounds, seven of them on the offensive end. JM Noble chimed in with 11 points. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

FEU – Romeo 30, Mendoza 15, Tolomia 13, Hargrove 12, Cruz 9, Inigo 6, Belo 6, Pogoy 5, Sentcheu 2, Lee Yu 0, Delfinado 0, Aguilon 0

UE – Sumang 25, Olivares 21, Mammie 17, Noble 11, Santos 6, Jumao-as 5, Casajeros 4, Galanza 3, Javier 2, Olayon 0, Alberto 0, Flores 0, Guin 0, Hernandez 0, Sumido 0

Quarter scoring: 25-13, 42-31, 59-46, 70-70, 85-85, 98-94